Receiving anticancer immunotherapy earlier in the day may significantly enhance survival rates for individuals with cancer, according to new research published in the journal Cancer. The study highlights the impact of the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, on the timing of immunotherapy, suggesting that treatment timing plays a crucial role in patient outcomes.
Researchers at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University in China conducted their investigation on 397 patients diagnosed with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. The subjects received immunotherapy drugs, specifically atezolizumab or durvalumab, in combination with chemotherapy from May 2019 to October 2023.
The findings revealed that patients who received their treatment before 15:00 experienced significantly longer progression-free survival, the duration without cancer progression, and overall survival compared to those treated later in the day. Notably, early treatment was associated with a remarkable 52% decrease in the risk of cancer progression and a 63% reduction in mortality risk after adjusting for various influencing factors.
Significance of Timing in Treatment Protocols
The study’s senior author, Yongchang Zhang, MD, emphasized the straightforward nature of this intervention. He stated, “Adjusting infusion timing is a straightforward and easily implementable intervention that can be adopted across diverse health care settings without additional cost.” This suggests that modifying the timing of immunotherapy could be a practical change for healthcare providers, potentially transforming treatment protocols for small cell lung cancer.
With immediate clinical applicability, the research underscores the importance of synchronizing treatment with the body’s natural rhythms. This tailored approach not only enhances patient outcomes but also opens avenues for further studies on the implications of timing in administering various types of medications.
As the medical community continues to explore personalized treatment strategies, the findings from this study advocate for a reevaluation of existing protocols. The research provides a compelling argument for considering the timing of immunotherapy as a vital factor in cancer treatment, potentially leading to improved survival rates for patients worldwide.
For further details, refer to the study titled “Overall survival according to time-of-day of immunochemotherapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer,” published in Cancer (2025). The full study can be accessed via DOI: 10.1002/cncr.70126.
